Newbie | To bag or not to bag?

Chengyu are Chinese idioms that consist of four characters. Although they originate from classical Chinese, Chengyu remain as an important aspect in both spoken and written language. They may seem erratic and confusing to you at first since they don’t follow the usual sentence order and their meanings depend heavily on context. But don’t worry, in this Chengyu series, we will introduce simple Chengyu made up with all the characters that you already knew, and you can infer the actual meaning by looking at the separate characters! In this lesson, let’s take a look at three Chengyu with number 五 (five) in them! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4304

22 Jan 202114min

Think the Von Trapp’s liked to sing? That’s nothing! Wait until you get the Chinese invite to listen…which is anytime. So, what do you do after someone gives you a tune, offer up the same “thanks” you give a taxi driver or a proper “you sing very well”? In this podcast Ken and Jenny compose a lesson for the ages. You’ll learn how to compliment someone on their singing using Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0109

20 Jan 202114min

In today's lesson, we're talking about 面 and all the interesting words using this character. Let's check them out! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4303

18 Jan 202117min

With so many people adopting from the mainland and Taiwan, it should come With so many people adopting babies from China, it should come as no surprise that we have received an abundance of requests for “baby lingo”. Here is a podcast on some sweet and cuddly talk to comfort the child who has just been introduced to your family. In this lesson, Ken and Jenny walk you through your first (comforting) words in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0108

15 Jan 202113min

The COVID-19 pandemic is sweeping across the globe right now. Although 病毒 - virus, 无情 - doesn’t discriminate, 人 - humanity, 有情 - has love for one another. Through sharing the love, we can help each other out and get over with the pandemic swiftly. Watch to learn more about general newbie vocabularies, as well as phrases to use amid such tough times! All in all, everyone 加油! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4295

13 Jan 202120min

You were *this* close to taking the Trans-Siberian Line from Beijing to Moscow (8 time zones!), *this* close from starting at Tiananmen Square and ending in Red Square…and what stopped you? You didn’t know how to ask for a ticket! Let’s remedy that today, shall we? All aboard, next stop: Chuga-chuga, chuga-chuga, Chinesepod! (Make a fist, put your arm at a 45 degree angle and pull down). In this podcast you will learn how to enquire about train tickets in Mandarin Chinese. Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0103

11 Jan 202118min

In our previous newbie tone change series, we have introduced the tone change rules for 不, 一, two third tones, and three third tones. Just like many other aspects in the Chinese language, tone changes are more nuanced than the rules you see in textbooks. That's why for the elementary tone change series, we decided that we would reinforce the rules with the help of dialogues that you hear in everyday conversations. Practice and familiarize yourselves with the sounds, and you'll be a tone master in no time! In this episode, we're going to learn and practice the tone change rules for 不 [bù] through a phone conversation inside a noisy club. Let's check it out right now! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/4292

8 Jan 202115min

So… ummmm, hi… I was…ahem, wondering (cough) if you… ahhhh, are doing…anything tonight? Think that’s hard in your own language? Try it in Mandarin Chinese! In this socially awkward podcast, Ken (never does this, honest) and Jenny (doesn’t like you in that way) teach you how to invite someone to a meal. Once you put all the effort into this lesson, how can they say no?! Episode link: https://www.chinesepod.com/0097

6 Jan 202114min